And sure, you can get your usual tickets to see “The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol,” all great options (read on for details on both), but how about checking out one of the more unusual shows to get you in the giving mood?
Don’t know of any? Luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you — all you have to do is pay for the tickets.
“The Santaland Diaries,” Portland Stage Company
Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 21 (Wed-Thu-Fri 7:30 pm; Sat 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm; Sun 2:30 pm)
Price: $18
Tickets: 774-0465 or www.portlandstage.com
You’ll spend an evening with Crumpet — one of Santa’s helpers during the holiday rush at Macy’s — as he attempts to cope with thousands or shoppers with his wacked out wit. All you really need to know about this performance is that it’s for mature audiences. Get a babysitter and have an adults-only prelude to Santa’s big day.
“Babes in Toyland,” The Grand, Ellsworth
Dates: Dec. 4-5 (7 pm), Dec. 6 (3 & 7 pm), Dec. 7 (2 pm)
Price: $9-$15
Tickets: 667-9500 http://www.grandonline.org
The film was first released in 1934, then came out again as “March of the Wooden Soldiers” in 1948. See the classic in this grand old Maine theater, which opened 70 years ago (the first film it showed was “Holiday,” starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant). Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate an old-fashioned holiday.
“Bah Hoonchbach: A Very Odd Christmas Carol,” Oddfellow Theater, Buckfield
Dates: Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 (all shows 7:30 pm)
Price: $6-$12
Tickets: 336-3306 or www.oddfellow.com
Moto Hoonchbach returns to the Oddfellow stage for the third straight year, starring in the theater’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” If you haven’t seen it ... well, you can expect it will be a little odd.
Great Gingerbread Spectacular, Boothbay Harbor Opera House
Dates: Dec. 6 (10 am-4 pm), Dec. 7 (noon-3 pm)
Price: Donations welcome
Tickets: 633-6855 www.boothbayoperahouse,com
See the magical gingerbread creations the people of Boothbay have cooked up. No tasting please!
“A Tuna Christmas,” Penobscot Theatre, Bangor
Dates: Dec. 10-23
Price: Starting at $15
Tickets: www.penobscottheatre.org
Spend Christmas in the third smallest town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities, including hot competition in the annual lawn display contest.
“Holiday Light” the Maine Gay Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert, Williston West Church, Thomas Street, Portland
Dates: Dec. 11-13 (all shows 8 pm)
Price: $20
Tickets: www.mainegaymenschorus.org
Boy oh boy, can these guys sing! Songs run the gamut from childhood favorites, to traditional standbys and famous show tunes. The guys never fail to hit their notes and Williston West Church keeps these gatherings intimate and friendly. If you aren’t in the holiday mood when you leave, you must not believe in Santa.
Southern Maine Children’s Chorus, Freeport Performing Arts Center
Dates: Dec. 14 (3 pm)
Price: Donations welcome
Tickets: www.usm.maine.edu/music/events
It’s a holiday-themed winter concert from the Southern Maine Children’s Chorus, which is conducted by Lise Dunn, and is part of the USM Youth Ensembles program. These are little people with big voices.
Holiday Burlesque Extravaganza, St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center, Portland
Dates: Dec. 18-19 (7:30 pm), Dec. 20 (4 pm & 7:30 pm), Dec. 21 (2 pm & 7:30 pm)
Price: $10-$12
Tickets: www.vividmotion.org
Starring Vivid Motion, Portland’s “innovative and kinda quirky dance company,” this performance is sure to stray from the beaten down holiday path.
Holiday Pops, Camden Opera House
Dates: Dec. 21 (3 pm)
Price: $12-$30
Tickets: 236-7963 or www.camdenoperahouse.com
It’s the Winter Solstice so celebrate by checking out conductor Janna Hymes work with the Maine Pro Musica orchestra. The guest soloist is Kelly Cae Hogan, who comes to the Midcoast all the way from Metropolitan Opera fame. They’ll be locals like the Penobscot Bay Ringers, too.
Nutcrackers
Maine State Ballet, Merrill Auditorium, Portland, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 5-7, $15-$45, www.porttix.com
Portland Ballet “Shorts & Sweets,” Franco American Heritage Center, Lewiston, Dec. 7, $11-$16, 689-2880
Portland Ballet “Victorian Nutcracker,” Merrill Auditorium, Portland, Dec. 17, $17-$47, www.porttix.com
Christmas Carols
Portland Stage Company, Portland, Dec. 5-24, $16-$39, www.portlandstage.com
The Public Theatre, Lewiston, Dec. 12-14, $10-$18, www.publictheater.org